Burning Man becomes a hot spot for tech titans

Like moths to a flame, Burning Man is drawing more CEOs and venture capitalists to the playa for high-powered networking. Welcome to the business bacchanalia.

Nellie Bowles

Updated 11:27 am, Monday, August 25, 2014

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The playa has been a great place to photograph through the years. Check out some of the best images from Burning Man festivals past and present.

The playa has been a great place to photograph through the years. Check out some of the best images from Burning Man festivals past and present.

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Danielle Petooie of Barzel walks through an art piece at Burning Man on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, in Gerlach, Nev.

Danielle Petooie of Barzel walks through an art piece at Burning Man on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, in Gerlach, Nev.

Photo: Andy Barron, Associated Press

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Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Photo: 082024005005, Courtesy Sidney Erthal

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Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Photo: 152027002480, Courtesy Sidney Erthal

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In this Friday, Sept. 4, 2015 photo, a couple cycling through the playa pauses during a dust storm at Burning Man in the Black Rock Desert near Gerlach, Nev. The annual festival is dedicated to community, art, self-expression and self-reliance. (Andy Barron/Reno Gazette-Journal via AP) less

In this Friday, Sept. 4, 2015 photo, a couple cycling through the playa pauses during a dust storm at Burning Man in the Black Rock Desert near Gerlach, Nev. The annual festival is dedicated to community, art, ... more

Photo: Andy Barron, Associated Press

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An unidentified man walks southbound on 6:30 Street on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, on the Black Rock Desert of Nevada. Burners have another day of dust on the playa at Burning Man. (Andy Barron/The Reno Gazette-Journal via AP) less

An unidentified man walks southbound on 6:30 Street on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, on the Black Rock Desert of Nevada. Burners have another day of dust on the playa at Burning Man. (Andy Barron/The Reno ... more

Photo: Andy Barron, Associated Press

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Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Photo: 082024005005, Courtesy Sidney Erthal

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Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Photo: 082024005005, Courtesy Sidney Erthal

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Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Photo: 082024005005, Courtesy Sidney Erthal

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Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Photo: 082024005005, Courtesy Sidney Erthal

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Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Photo: 082024005005, Courtesy Sidney Erthal

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Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Geroge Krieger stands outside while securing his tent during a morning dust storm at Burning Man on the Black Rock Desert in Gerlack, Nev. on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. The 29th annual alternative living event ... more

Photo: Andy Barron, Associated Press

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Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Photo: 082024005005, Courtesy Sidney Erthal

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Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Photo: 082024005005, Courtesy Sidney Erthal

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Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Photo: 082024005005, Courtesy Sidney Erthal

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Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Photo: 082024005005, Courtesy Sidney Erthal

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Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Photo: 082024005005, Courtesy Sidney Erthal

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Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Photo: 082024005005, Courtesy Sidney Erthal

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Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Participants attend Burning Man 2015, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Photo: 082024005005, Courtesy Sidney Erthal

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Participants enjoy the desert during the 2014 Burning Man festival in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nev.

Participants enjoy the desert during the 2014 Burning Man festival in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nev.

Photo: Andy Barron, Associated Press

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Participants walk around at the 2014 Burning Man festival on the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nev.

Participants walk around at the 2014 Burning Man festival on the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nev.

Photo: Andy Barron, Associated Press

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Franziska Goltz dances on the playa during Burning Man 2014 on the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nev.

Franziska Goltz dances on the playa during Burning Man 2014 on the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nev.